I saw a child who unwrapped a precious object. I must 'unwrap' the Mass for other people, to reveal the 'heart' of it. It is a living memorial of Calvary's offering: the very same sacrifice, now sacramentally re-presented.

It is no small matter, in Christ's sight, that many Christians don't complete their Christian initiation because their leaders have invalid Orders, and so children who have been baptised are not confirmed and do not receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.

It's as if the Father's hand reaches out across those places where confessions are heard. The Father is truly reaching out to help us though His priests, acting in and through them as they forgive sins in Jesus' name.

God sees, in looking at each of His priests, a man configured to Christ by the sacrament of Orders: a man whose very being is now changed. Each priest should recognise the immense dignity of the state to which the Lord has raised him, and accept the honour paid to him by those who are grateful for his ministry.